The Up Series
by Ross Catrow
This is blowing my mind. It turns out British stereotypes are TOTALLY TRUE?? The series starts in 1964 and follows the same group of British kids throughout their life, catching up with them ever seven years.
It is truly amazing to hear seven year old kids talk about how rich kids generally throw things at poor kids. And also how fourteen year olds would, if they could, vote for the Labour Party. Also there is this really weird scene where a dog catches and kills a rabbit?
“Give me a child until he is seven and I will give you the man” is the premise the movies are based on — which is actually a Jesuit saying. It is so incredibly true. After a total of seventeen seconds on screen you can tell which kid is going to be an incredibly obnoxious lawyer, a creepy psycho, or a cat lady.
We’re only up to part two, but I can already recommend it — Netflix that joint.
I saw 35 Up at the Westhampton a lil’ while back, though none of the movies that came before. It is a very neat idea.
Or maybe you THINK you can tell what they’re going to be like. Bam!
Wait until you get to at least 28 up before you decide that you know everything.